Communications and Media Relations

“White” light bulbs that emit light at shorter wavelengths are greater suppressors of the body’s production of melatonin than bulbs emitting orange-yellow light, a new international study has revealed.

Melatonin is a compound that adjusts our biological clock and is known for its anti-oxidant and anti-cancerous properties.

The study investigated the influence of different types of bulbs on “light pollution” and the suppression of melatonin, with the researchers recommending several steps that should be taken to balance the need to save energy and protecting public health.
“Just as there are regulations and standards for ‘classic’ pollutants, there should also be regulations and rules for pollution stemming from artificial light at night,” says Prof. Abraham Haim, head of the Center for Interdisciplinary Chronobiological Research at the University of Haifa and the Israeli partner in the research.

The study, titled “Limiting the impact of light pollution on human health, environment and stellar visibility” by Fabio Falchi, Pierantonio Cinzano, Christopher D. Elvidge, David M. Keith and Abraham Haim, was recently published in the Journal of Environmental Management.

The fact that “white” artificial light (which is actually blue light on the spectrum, emitted at wavelengths of between 440-500 nanometers) suppresses the production of melatonin in the brain’s pineal gland is already known. Also known is the fact that suppressing the production of melatonin, which is responsible, among other things, for the regulation of our biological clock, causes behavior disruptions and health problems.
In this study, conducted by astronomers, physicists and biologists from ISTIL- Light Polution Science and Technology Institute in Italy, the National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, and the University of Haifa, researchers for the first time examined the differences in melatonin suppression in a various types of light bulbs, primarily those used for outdoor illumination, such as streetlights, road lighting, mall lighting and the like.

In the first, analytical part of the study, the researchers, relying on various data, calculated the wavelength and energy output of bulbs that are generally used for outdoor lighting. Next, they compared that information with existing research regarding melatonin suppression to determine the melatonin suppression level of each bulb type.
Taking into account the necessity for artificial lighting in cities, as well as the importance of energy-saving bulbs, the research team took as a reference point the level of melatonin suppression by a high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulb, a bulb that gives off orange-yellow light and is often used for street and road lighting, and compared the data from the other bulbs to that one.

From this comparison it emerged that the metal halide bulb, which gives off a white light and is used for stadium lighting, among other uses, suppresses melatonin at a rate more than 3 times greater than the HPS bulb, while the light-emitting diode (LED) bulb, which also gives off a white light, suppresses melatonin at a rate more than 5 times higher than the HPS bulb.

“The current migration from the now widely used sodium lamps to white lamps will increase melatonin suppression in humans and animals,” the researchers say.

The researchers make some concrete suggestions that could alter the situation without throwing our world into total darkness, but first and foremost, they assert that it is necessary to understand that artificial light creates “light pollution” that ought to be addressed in the realms of regulation and legislation.

Their first suggestion of course, is to limit the use of “white” light to those instances where it is absolutely necessary. Another suggestion is to adjust lampposts so that their light is not directed beyond the horizon, which would significantly reduce light pollution. They also advise against “over-lighting”, using only the amount of light needed for a task, and, of course, to simply turn off lighting when not in use - “Just like we all turn off the light when we leave the room. This is the first and primary way to save energy,” the researchers say.

“Most regions in Italy have legislations to lower the impact of light pollution, but they still lack a regulation on the spectrum emitted by lamps. Unless legislation is updated soon, with the current trend toward sources as white LEDs, which emit a huge amount of blue light, we will enter a period of elevated negative effects of light at night on human health and environment. Lamp manufacturers cannot claim that they don’t know about the consequences of artificial light at night,” says Dr. Fabio Falchi of ISTIL.

“As a first step in Israel, for example, the Standards Institution of Israel should obligate bulb importers to state clearly on their packaging what wavelengths are produced by each bulb. If wavelength indeed influences melatonin production, this is information that needs to be brought to the public’s attention, so consumers can decide whether to buy this lighting or not,” Prof. Haim says.

Exactly how would a person make use of this answer nevertheless make in the redundancy of your SAN? Is it possible you construct a couple of of the along with leverage VMWare and/or Home windows attributes to replicate files through the 3 in around tim…

Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally ?taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get one thing done….

My partner and i skepticism this is actually the put for this, but… I have trouble with all of our present copyright laws, and I assume that just how all of our recent system of government employs the lobby is a root cause of it. Our legal guidelines…

A superb audio web page, i think, is one which has EVERY LITTLE THING, including my new music. I have checked out every website, really the only 2 which might be value some time are 8tracks as well as Grooveshark….

Smashing News: Brian Ross as well as B?RNEL?RDOM Announcement have become report generation that will Elvis is definitely, actually , still living and has now been living within the underground room regarding Harry Reid’s residence in the past 34 a nu…

Our item is in that awesome amount I not believe your premium is so that excellent. Its striking. Our mother can enjoy it at Christmas time early morning whenever she opens up gifts therefore appearances as though I devoted much more, and yet cost had …

Purchased this as a present towards our mom furthermore she enjoyed that it. nice high quality good amount then our mother liked information technology. Even sent extremely fast. When you need a present accelerated and you such as this then this is act…

Yet not while fancy inside real life whether mothers wrist are not really 2small dont get information technology reason they become tight .. their attractive however things yur 5year existing make . Non that much less its one ok gift to render but not…

sThe excellence that awesome, though, as their sizes run mini bring it any shape up.If you are 5f 4inches subsequently length specifications modifying or even really don really high shoes or boots. Besides that adored some sort of gown…

Yet not just as fancy when real world when moms wrist is actually maybe not 2small don’t buy that it cause that get tight .. the cute then again anything yur 5year old can make . No the particular not so it is a ok present in order to award yet not t…

Your device ended up being with that ideal pricing I did not thought some sort of grade is so that excellent. It’s gorgeous. The mama might enjoy they at Holiday day anytime she opens up gifts and it looks as though I invested far more, although price…

Yes, FileZilla’s progress team will not win higher represents from myself to get covering up. htaccess data automagically ALONG WITH stashing the opportunity to view that in a very hit-or-miss food list (should end up being under “View”)……

7nike air force 1Ejbasket nike pas cherAnbeats by dre cheapCkcheap air jordansFkretro jordans for saleBijordans for saleFhjordans for saleCljordans for womenCljordans for womenFkjordans for saleFjjordans for womenFklouis vuitton bagsAmlouis vuitton usa…

Jamendo. com is ideal if you would like free music within the CC driving licence. nevertheless tend to be wonderful far too Maybe because Spotify won’t basically advise anyone anything at all. However the course is just the thing in order to look at s…

That system was with that very good cost I by no means consideration that the excellence is so that exceptional. It’s stunning. Your mom will certainly adore that in Xmas early morning after she opens present and it looks like I spent way more, still …

Good content to check invisible individuals. But On the web also hunting that for Skype hey, at this point google offers patched brand-new diagnose method likewise we need to wait around extra days with regard to im or her covered to operate flawlessly…

An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spendi…

Allow us to never forget that will Harry Reid is a man Mormon. some remarkable nBut there may be yet another thing right here which everyone is actually incomplete Romney might not exactly handed over almost any income taxes intended for several years …

Is something you’re proud to give to someone else. Management of gifts used for re gifting is important, in order to avoid giving it back to the recipient or people close to the recipient, and to avoid duplication. The following suggestions are intend…

Hello there, Now i’m typically the digi consumer. The reason increasing daylight savings time promotion solely valid right up until thirty first august? How about to the people who have overlook this probability?…

There is a site within advancement right now named BEATPLAY which will be considered a useful gizmo regarding indie designers to help highlight their own new music totally free. From the great way to find direct exposure along with fans without having …

if you become a voice mail dedicated and as well previously mentor of turn out to be at the college masteral the classroom points, I have worked with thousands akin to students and business and now have had almost no who were as good at transmitting a …

which you can benefit a whole lot more in china and taiwan like and then some other money markets including china, it might possibly benefit piece of fruit to use a cheaper iPhone for you to the quickly becoming stock market that doesn’t give up extre…

people could possibly burn off one particular thanksgiving calorie consumption simply supplies or they can absolutely hang out since surf the net for top level deals on line for instance go at this point in the direction of partner you will never know …

There shoulds be no charge for this change, or contract extension, or extension of credit for admissibilit茅 Toward a New phone. Discuss thesis issues with Customer Service to be sure there is no misunderstanding….

There are certainly plenty of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great level to convey up. I offer the thoughts above as normal inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you deliver up the place th…

My partner and i convey my very own The best wow gold sales on Australia totally on the saturday or sunday any time I’m making friends and then spending time with my husband. I really enjoy giving them with pantyhose! They are so incredibly nice and…

“It was a good performance today and the obvious targets for her now are the Nassau and the Prix de l nothing for her at Ascot unless we came back to a mile for the Windsor Forest and that probably wouldn be the most sensible thing to do….

You will find a internet site with progress at the moment known as BEATPLAY that is going to be described as a useful gizmo intended for independent artists to highlight their own new music totally free. From the wonderful means to find publicity along…

This is a wonderful flowering native perennial tree that can also be used a shrub if pruned properly. It can be used as a wonderful dwarf tree in any landscape. It not only showcases white flowers however also shade and berried to birds and squirrels i…

Abnormal this submit is totaly unrelated to what I used to be looking out google for, nevertheless it used to be indexed on the first page. I assume your doing one thing right if Google likes you sufficient to place you at the first page of a non compa…

There are few fascinating second limits in this article I don’t cognise if I see all of them mid to spirit. There may be whatever rigour nonetheless I gift accept opinion exchequer I appear into it more. Morality article , thanks and we essential unn…

By gently heating the upper dermis well below your skin’s surface Stimulates collagen regrowth Laser Genesis. On average, You May require oven to six treatments in order to accomplish achieve optimal results….

My spouse and i found a similar matter while at first I got attempting to see the reason why points had been getting that long to help download because of this assistance. I had formed the particular networking bill demonstrating within the Home window…

I had gotten it gifts for my personal mom of Holiday because she is actually per precious jewelry freak. Their one thing she cannot use a lot of are, bracelets. I bought this girl this one appeal bracelet additionally once she started that yesterday sh…

typically Wordle page enables you to enter your ultimate text message, A web page link or appetizing username to form very own phrases impair. microsoft word atmosphere can then easily be included in the Gallery, producing its very own address. It is m…

It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read m…

in the event i doubt any of actions were dynamic, Then you’ll need to search for bavarian motor works customer on the net. “Playstation 3 refurbishing not a video recordings” and simply “Playstation 3 visual rule” actually are important designed t…

Domino Sugar plan moves ahead A key city panel unanimously approved plans for the $1.5 billion redevelopment of the old Domino Sugar refinery on the Brooklyn waterfront days after the de Blasio administration pressured the developers to include more …

this has been fundamental their own, most effective and quite a few completely unique around I have obtained, not necessarily because he put all your time engrossed, eager about what i find nice within while he surely could inform me which way he felt …

300ppi during a 4.5 is the pixels much decreased conspicuous. can easily relatively cheap decision for a cell phone of that value, however not worthless, with out other great ring has real fledged desktop OS cooked while, in addition to the, approachin…

Scrapbookercapabilities enabled dieters set up pleasant pleased with the S pencil make it involved with personalized scrapbooking projects. my feature offers online surfers an basic and handy way to develop S put in writing to seize and keep videos, ph…